English · KJV
G607

ἀποκεφαλίζω

apokephalízō /ap-ok-ef-al-id'-zo/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἀπό and κεφαλή
Meaningto decapitate
KJV usagebehead.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apokephalízō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word apokephalízō, represented by G607, is a verb meaning to decapitate or behead. It is formed from the words ἀπό and κεφαλή (head). The word appears 5 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, specifically detailing the act of beheading.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G607 is used exclusively to describe the execution of John the Baptist. Herod, the king, beheaded John in prison (Matthew 14:10, Mark 6:27). The act is recounted by Herod himself, who, upon hearing of Jesus's works, believes John whom he beheaded has risen from the dead Mark 6:16. This event is a pivotal moment, with Herod questioning who Jesus is, since he had already beheaded John Luke 9:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of beheading:

  • G2776 kephalḗ (head): As the root word, it denotes the object of the action. The king commanded his head to be brought Mark 6:27.
  • G2264 Hērṓdēs (Herod): This is the name of the king who ordered the execution. It was Herod who said, "John have I beheaded" Luke 9:9.
  • G2491 Iōánnēs (John): The name of the individual who was beheaded. All uses of G607 refer to the beheading of John Matthew 14:10.
  • G4688 spekoulátōr (executioner): This term identifies the agent who carried out the command, with the king sending an executioner to the prison Mark 6:27.

Theological Significance

The use of G607 carries significant weight within the Gospel accounts:

  • Consequence of Prophetic Witness: The beheading of John G2491 is depicted as the ultimate price for his ministry. The act is carried out in a prison G5438, highlighting the persecution he faced Matthew 14:10.
  • Earthly vs. Divine Power: The beheading is a clear exercise of earthly authority, with Herod G2264 the king G935 commanding G2004 the execution Mark 6:27. This action stands in contrast to the spiritual mission of John.
  • Precursor to Resurrection: The narrative links the finality of beheading with the possibility of new life. Herod's reaction to Jesus's ministry is fear that John, whom I beheaded G607, has been risen G1453 from the dead G3498 Mark 6:16.

Summary

In summary, G607 is a term with a singular, graphic focus: to behead. While appearing only a few times, its usage is concentrated on the pivotal event of John the Baptist's execution. The word underscores the brutal finality of earthly power wielded by a king, while also setting the stage for themes of martyrdom and the surprising specter of resurrection in the mind of the perpetrator, Herod. It is a powerful example of how a specific word defines a key moment in the biblical story.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Singular
One.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G2776 κεφαλή from the primary (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figurativel G2264 Ἡρώδης compound of (a "hero") and εἶδος; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:--Herod. G2491 Ἰωάννης of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John. G4688 σπεκουλάτωρ of Latin origin; a speculator, i.e. military scout (spy or (by extension) life-guardsman):--executioner. G5438 φυλακή from φυλάσσω; a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specia G935 βασιλεύς probably from βάσις (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

1
Matthew
2
Mark
1
Luke

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.